BBC reports reveal sexual harassment cases: Review

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Last Updated: Fri, May 03, 2013 11:00 hrs

BBC has laid down a report on its fear-filled environment that puts forth alleged sexual harassment cases over the past six years, where senior managers and on-screen stars are known to verbally abuse or pass on sexist comments to the junior female workers, following the Jimmy Savile scandal in the corporation.

The report has criticised the 'bullies' who have created an environment of fear and anxiety in the workplace and are even prompted to do so by the employees as they are thought to be 'untouchables', who can never be harmed.

The review author Dinah Rose QC has confirmed that 35 employees have been allegedly involved in 37 sexual harassment cases in six years, where BBC presenter Stuart Hall has pleaded guilty to 14 assault cases against young girls, not barring victims as young as nine years.

Rose has highlighted some presenters who were either moved out of the organization or removed from a programme to be involved in assault cases, but these cases have been considered to appear 'very late' as by then the person's reputation had already been tarnished.

The review has warned against BBC's wrong policy to favour wrongdoer senior colleagues because of their value to the company, adding that some presenters and celebrities have tried to take advantage of their position as they do not need to adhere to the official guidelines of the corporation and wield power even over the policymakers.

The review has provoked BBC's new director General Tony Hall has revealed a policy modification where the disgruntled employees would be able to voice out abuses against them with a removal of the 'gagging clauses'.

The Rose review has also revealed that out of the abuse-complainants, more than two-thirds of the cases resulted in the perpetrator receiving a final warning or their contract terminated.

According to the review, employees such as young girls and gay men were subjected to 'overtly sexist texts' on their mobile numbers, or 'overtly sexiest comments' resulting in an environment breeding tension and work difficulties. This behaviour has been very conspicuous and frequent, rising to be a matter of concern.

In over 70 pieces of testimony to the Rose review, accusations of bullying against a single senior executive have been made by more than 20 people. (ANI)